High-Rolling Iranian Businesswoman Nabbed at LAX, Accused of Arms Trafficking for Tehran
- 17GEN4
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
Los Angeles — A glamorous 44-year-old Iranian-born businesswoman living in the upscale Woodland Hills neighborhood was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport as she prepared to board a flight, federal prosecutors announced Sunday, charging her with brokering massive weapons deals on behalf of the Iranian government.
Shamim Mafi, a U.S. lawful permanent resident since 2016, faces charges of violating U.S. sanctions laws by allegedly facilitating the sale of Iranian-made drones, bombs, bomb fuses, assault weapons, and millions of rounds of ammunition to the Sudanese Armed Forces amid that country's brutal ongoing civil war.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the case starkly in a post on X: "Last night, Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for trafficking arms on behalf of the government of Iran. She is charged with... brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan."
According to court documents and statements from prosecutors, Mafi is accused of helping orchestrate deals worth tens of millions of dollars— one report put the figure at over $70 million—using front companies and routing transactions through countries including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman to evade international sanctions. The weapons were reportedly destined for Sudan's military forces locked in a bloody conflict that has displaced millions and caused widespread atrocities.
Media outlets have described Mafi as a "high-rolling" or "glamorous" figure with a lavish lifestyle in Southern California, complete with luxury assets that reportedly drew the attention of investigators. The FBI is said to have seized significant cash and high-end property linked to her activities.
Authorities have not released details on how long the alleged scheme had been underway or whether Mafi had direct ties to Iranian regime officials, but prosecutors emphasized that the case underscores ongoing efforts to disrupt Iran's efforts to arm proxy conflicts and circumvent U.S. and international restrictions on its military exports.
If convicted, Mafi could face up to 20 years in federal prison. She was taken into custody at LAX late Saturday and is expected to make her initial court appearance in the coming days.
The arrest comes amid heightened U.S. scrutiny of Iranian sanctions evasion, particularly as Tehran continues to supply drones and other weaponry to various actors in the Middle East and Africa.This story is developing. Federal officials have declined to comment further beyond the initial announcements, citing the active investigation.
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